I am always looking for constant ways to improve to myself. One thing I think I need to go is stop getting so nervous about auditions. Yes, I know nerves are normal for everyone but I tend to go into in audition being very nervous about how the outcome will be like and weather or not I will impress the audition board. I also think that sometimes I set my standards too high and expect to get roles I know that I am not even half so qualified to get cast as.

For example two years ago when I auditioned for Annie with Actorsingers I auditioned for Grace Farrell, Oliver Warbucks’s secretary. Remembering past performances I have seen of the show and also Audra McDonald’s performance in the TV film from 1999. I was definitely nervous during that audition. Not only because it was my first Actorsingers audition but because it was the first time I had ever auditioned for a lead role. I wanted to use this opportunity to break out of my shell a little bit and I certainly achieved that mission. I didn’t end up getting Grace but I definitely set my standards way too high thinking I was going to get such a big part. MY back up choice was ensemble. I ended up working backstage helping with sound design which was fun. Working on Annie was the most fun experience ever. 🙂

In the fall I auditioned for Children of Eden with Stagecoach Productions. I decided to stick with auditioning for an ensemble character that time around due to my lack of familiarity with the show. I was disappointed with the outcome of that audition because I felt I should’ve have done a lot better than I did despite how hard I prepared. Maybe I was a bit too hard on myself.. maybe I’m a bit too hard on myself after every audition I do.

Last week I auditioned for Music Man with Actorsingers. I was so excited about this audition for a long time because I loved being in this show 3 years ago with the PTA and was happy to audition for it again. I debated auditioning for Marian Paroo but then decided against it because I didn’t want to set myself up for disappointment again like I did when I auditioned for Grace Farrell. I ended up choosing to audition for Ethel Toffelmeyer because I figured that part would be a lot of fun to play. I did struggle with the dance part of the audition… I always struggle with the dance part of the audition. I’ve learned to accept that despite the fact it could make me or break me. I was initially disappointed when I found out I didn’t get cast but then I remembered that when the PTA did this show 3 years ago I did struggle a lot with the dances… mostly Marian The Librarian. I am doing stage crew so I am excited about being able to work on this show again. Next stop River City!!

In a way I think it’s a good thing that I will just be doing backstage work for Music Man and there are no overlaps between Seussical and Music Man since Music Man is in May. I will have a small break in between the end of Seuessical and tech week for Music Man which I will certainly look forward too. That will give me enough time to relax between shows I think I was too burnt out doing two shows at one time when I was doing Annie and It’s A Wonderful Life two years ago at the same time. Working on both shows was certainly well worth in the end but I think it’s better for me to work on one show at a time. My next auditions won’t be until the fall when I audition for Passion For Dracula at the Amato Center and Young Frankenstien with Actorsingers ( Do we sense a bit of a theme?) Also I hope to audition for the holiday show at the Amato Center again whateer show that will be. It hasn’t been announced yet and typically isn’t announced til September

So my goal for when I audition is not t0 focus so much with getting a certain part… but instead just have fun with auditioning. I will go in to the audition less anxious and worried this way about how things will turn out.